In defiance of global warnings, unknown assailants, likely tied to the Iran-backed Houthi group in Yemen, undertook fresh acts of piracy targeting at least two vessels sailing through the Red Sea on Tuesday.
This comes a day after Washington announced it was leading a multinational operation to safeguard commerce in the Red Sea.
On Tuesday, Houthis reiterated their commitment to targeting ships, claiming they are sailing to or from Israeli ports, regardless of their nationality.
Houthis have stepped up the missile and drone attacks they began last month against international vessels, in response to Israel’s assault on Gaza.
While Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) expressed support for international efforts to halt Houthi threats, the group claimed responsibility for two drone attacks on cargo vessels on Monday, bringing the total attacks to 100, according to the US Department of Defense.
Major shipping companies worldwide collectively opted to avoid the Red Sea due to escalating threats, amid concerns that a military response against the Houthis could undermine both regional and international peace initiatives in Yemen.
Houthi spokesperson Mohammed Abdulsalam affirmed on Tuesday that the militias will not halt attacks on ships linked to Israel in the Red Sea, despite the US announcing a new maritime protection force to counter them.
Posting on “X,” he said the attacks by the Houthis are not an act of defiance but if this new coalition is adamant on launching attacks, then they will have to bear the consequences of what he described as a broader conflict in the region.
Abdulsalam, residing in Oman, characterized the US-led alliance as aimed at “protecting Israel and militarizing the sea without any justification.”
He insisted that Houthis will not cease their operations, stating that there is no threat except to ships associated with Israel.
British maritime security firm Ambrey said on Tuesday it received information of a potential boarding attempt 71 nautical miles west of Yemen's Aden port city, adding that the attack was unsuccessful and all crew are safe.
“A vessel in the vicinity received VHF communication of a vessel 'under piracy attack' at the location. Half an hour later, collision aircraft arrived on scene to search the area,” the security firm said in an advisory note.
Additionally, the Houthis persist in holding the international tanker Galaxy Leader, following the seizure of the vessel in a piracy attack on Nov. 19.
